Commencement speaker announced

At 3 p.m. in the Dunn Center, 436 candidates for graduation, along with families and
friends, will hear remarks from Wendell H. Gilbert, retired U.S. Army brigadier general
and former APSU vice president for development and university relations (1984-98).
December 4, 2000

At 3 p.m. in the Dunn Center, 436 candidates for graduation, along with families and
friends, will hear remarks from Wendell H. Gilbert, retired U.S. Army brigadier general
and former APSU vice president for development and university relations (1984-98).
December 4, 2000

At 3 p.m. in the Dunn Center, 436 candidates for graduation, along with families and
friends, will hear remarks from Wendell H. Gilbert, retired U.S. Army brigadier general
and former APSU vice president for development and university relations (1984-98).
Named Emeritus upon his departure from APSU, Gilbert also was presented The Distinguished
Achievement Award, the University's highest award. Previous recipients include vice
presidential candidate Dick Cheney.

Gilbert is a combat veteran of two tours in Vietnam, where he earned the Combat Infantry
Badge.

He served in many key assignments, including chief of staff at Fort Campbell. He also
served in the Pentagon's Office of Congressional Liaison, where he worked with Congress
on issues concerning the Army.

Gilbert has been a leader in public service also. He was president of the Clarksville
Area Chamber of Commerce, president of the Tennessee-Kentucky Chapter of the Association
of the United States Army, founding chair of Citizens for Fort Campbell and a charter
board member of Leadership Clarksville.

He has published numerous articles on national security issues.

Dr. Sherry Hoppe said, “We're honored Gen. Gilbert agreed to speak to our graduates.
He is a true leader — during active duty in the Army, as Austin Peay's vice president
and, now, as the primary advocate for Tennessee veterans.”

Gilbert and his wife, Jean, have two grown children — Wendell III and Ann Marie Crozier
— and two grandchildren, Caroline and Martin.